Below is a list and mini bios of all the current councillors, elected on 4th May 2023.
Thomas Briggs
Tom, his wife Anna, and two children have lived in the Limpsfield area since 1999. Tom is an attorney licensed in New York State and worked in the energy industry for 30 years before retiring from BP in 2016. Tom has held senior executive roles atBP, focusing on energy policy, legislation and regulation impacting BP’s global operations. He is a resident of Ballards Lane and joined the Parish Council in May 2019. He is on the Finance Committee, of which he was Chair from 2019 to 2022.
His is particularly interested in local air quality and energy policy.
Tom is the current Chair of the Council.
Bernard (Bernie) de Haldevang
Bernie is currently full time employed as Global Head of Specialty at Canopius, the international re/insurance group, also at Lloyds of London. He has four decades of experience in the insurance industry, with a career including board and executive committee positions, both in the UK and oversees.
Bernie has lived in Limpsfield for many years and has been on the Parish Council since 2013 having served as Vice Chairman and as part of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. He is on the Finance Committee.
Bernie is interested sovereign rights of humanity, in particular political freedom and bodily autonomy as a birthright, grounded in non-negotiable democracy, and freedom of thought, speech, expression and choice.
Bob Harvey
Bob has lived in Limpsfield since 1983 and joined the parish council in January 2012. Originally living in Wolf’s Row and then in Old Court House, he spend a number of years on Limpsfield Chart, but is now back in Limpsfield Village with his wife Julia. They have two grown-up children.
Bob runs a timber agency business. Bob was Chairman of the Council from May 2014 until May 2016, and is currently responsible for Highways, Parish Property and the Chart Playground.
Sophie Kemp
Sophie lives on a smallholding near Staffhurst Wood in rural South Limpsfield with her young family and animals. She is passionate about the history and conservation of Limpsfield – particularly its rural areas and wildlife. Sophie plans to promote projects to improve biodiversity and Limpsfield’s river eco-systems, as well as enhancing popular leisure routes in the South of the Parish, widening access for all.
She is a partner and Head of Public Law at a leading law firm, where she specialises in public inquiries, investigations and human rights and judicial review litigation. She has helped a number of charities take action in relation to the effects of pollution caused by extractive companies.
Ann Osborn
Ann lives in Detillens Lane and has been a resident of Limpsfield since 1986. She trained at the Royal College of Music and sang professionally in the BBC Singers and other choral groups. After pursuing a musical career, she joined Surrey County Council becoming Head of Policy Development and then the County Council’s Local Director for Tandridge. Ann has always played an active role in the local community. She was Chair of Governors at Limpsfield C of E School for six years, and has an active musical role in St Peter’s church. Ann is joint leader of Limpsfield in Bloom and is keen to improve biodiversity in the parish.
Ann joined the Parish Council in May 2019 and is currently Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee and led on the creation of the Limpsfield Way and Cycle route. Ann is the footpath lead for the Parish Council.
Tony Taylor
Tony and his wife, Julie, have lived in Oxted and Limpsfield for over 30 years. Their three children all went to Oxted School where Tony served as a Governor for a number of years and was Chairman of the Finance Committee. Previously, he was also Chairman of Tandridge canoe polo club.
Recently retired, Tony spent most of his career working in the City of London and New York for a number of international banks managing relationships with corporate clients.
He also serves as a volunteer at the Limpsfield’s Memorial Stores’ sub post office.
Prior to election as a councillor, Tony was a co-opted on to the Parish Council’s Planning Committee on which he continues to serve as Councillor.
John Thompson
He has lived in Park Road with his wife Eileen since 1987. They have two grown up children who also live locally. After taking degrees in Psychology and Manpower Studies at Durham and London, John was an Associate with Booz Allen & Hamilton Inc and held directorships with several corporates.
He served on the Board of the Development Commission with a responsibility for small businesses in rural areas. Latterly he founded and was Managing Partner of a global human resources consultancy.
He was a Trustee/Board member of Tandridge Voluntary Action until 2021. As well as being Chairman, John is also on the Finance, Planning and Neighbourhood Plan Committees.
Jenny Williams
Jenny Williams has been a resident of Limpsfield since 1971. She has a BSc in Psychology and a background in finance, having worked in the banking industry for many years. She also had a property company and still consults part time for an Oxted-based Estate Agent, both of which have given her a very good understanding of housing needs and planning.
Jenny has been a TV (telephone volunteer) for LINK and drove the LINK bus. She is a founding committee member and current volunteer of Limpsfield Memorial Stores – a community shop run by the community.
She has a love of heritage and an interest in how progress can exist alongside conservation. She is currently Chair of the Planning Committee.
Mark Wilson
Mark has lived in Limpsfield since 1989, first in Padbrook and now in Hookwood Park with his wife Jaquie and their daughter. Mark received a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, before joining the London offices of an American bank, where during his 33 years of employment he held a number of senior management positions. Mark now runs his own management consultancy business.
He joined the Parish Council in May 2011 and served as Chairman from 2016-2019. He is currently Vice Chair of the Council and Chair of the Finance Committee. He isalso on the Planning and Neighbourhood Plan Committees.